Speechless
by @spazsquatch · @nahlej381
Challenge: PALINDROMELiner Notes
I wrote some (hopefully) clever word-play for the #PALINDROME challenge that tied the word into a song about identity struggle, laid down a scratch vocal over a simple drum pattern, then tossed that over to FAWM superstar @nahlej381 for ideas. Like drinking from the firehose with that guy.
He took what felt like bitter frustration on the page and molded it into this sort of desperate yearning vibe that really kicks this up into something special. Mad love man.
Lyrics
[Verse] Palindrome in crisis, inquest my identity Spectrum definition, dependent on who's reading me. Authorial integrity, given oxford comma treatment. lenient provision, never comes out naturally
Subtext to the words back-masked in the listening Context in reverse, hidden from the surface read. Symmetry of form, polished to Nth degree Professional appearance like I'm spellchecked using Grammerly.
Crafted poetry with adverbs chose to obfuscate Analysis verse, more than movement illustrates Little slight-of-hand like a straw man in debate Presenting the appearance society anticipates
[Pre] Ping pong boomerang, starting where I terminate Bouncing back and forth like a laser between mirrored planes Camus School house Rock, Stranger in a play-pretend Acting like the balance is really who I am.
[Chorus] I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm mmm, mmm, mmm
[Verse] Onomatopoeia, sound out my identity Echoing in sound, how I want to be perceived Drowning in the noise, Leo in the northern sea Mouth is frozen tight, when all I want to do is scream
Bile in my heart, but keep the temper underneath. Dump it online, safe in anonymity Wear a happy face, pantomiming pleasantries Artful in restraint like Kinbaku in Japanese
Contemplated thoughts more than what is necessary Tripping over words, killing all their energy Phrasing that I choose borders on tautology Tip-toe to the line of linguistic neutrality
[Pre] Buzz-buzz, static hum signal path, all messed up Internal monologue quacking like a lame duck 4′33″ looping on an 8-track run amok The frequency within isn't coming out.
[Chorus] I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm mmm, mmm, mmm
[Bridge] Speechlessly speaking that's oxymoronic. Meta-versing lines like it's that Zuck' schtick A playful homonym, tucked in my rhetoric But all the word-play can't help with the conflict.
[Outro] I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm, mmmmmmm I feel speechless mmm, mmm, mmm
Comments
Ah, that "I feel speechless" really got me! There's a cool groove going on here and everything feels just right. Nice job, guys!
This is so cool! No idea how to come up with such lyrics and beats. I like the big contrast of verses and chorus. Unique vibe. Do you have a degree in languages?
Very well written original song and demo. Fascinating to listen to. Skillful and memorable.
Wow...I have to say..I am speechless.lol Just a cool melody to sing those jungle if words...Great production from the magic man.
I just got out of 10 years as a professional languager. Words, editing, translating, rephrasing, communicating, all day every day. And now I'm done, no more speeching for me! So this is officially my theme song now :D (Also love the 4'33" reference, very nice.)
I'm sitting here listening to you and wondering how in the ham sandwich were you able to get all this wording happening. I think Adam's production over your wordplay is a nice underscore. It's rather simple with some signature hints of the practitioners. Feels like 90s goodness and I ain't mad at that at all.
yup this is so clever! the reality is you are both good at what you do! and together it works so well! good song
you sure got a lot of words for being speechless. and i was getting into each one of them.
That chorus is hitting right in the feels. Outstanding lyricism! Vox are sounding great and the instrumental bumps for how chill and slow it is. Great collab yall